Victorian hotspot for coronavirus gets pop-up testing site
People can now get tested for the coronavirus at a newly set-up testing site in Prahran, with the surrounding Stonnington municipality recording the greatest number of COVID-19 cases statewide.
Inner East
Don't miss out on the headlines from Inner East. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Stonnington has the most reported coronavirus cases across Victoria and now more people will get the chance to be tested for it after a pop-up clinic opened on Wednesday.
The clinic, which will provide a result in about 36 hours, is in the Prahran Town Hall and is part of the Australian Government’s $2.4 billion health package to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Stonnington had recorded 82 cases as of Wednesday night — more than 50 per cent higher numbers than the next closest area.
Star Health acting chief executive Kent Burgess said the company welcomed the chance to run the service and “to lessen the burden on the acute health system”.
“It has been humbling to see the degree that our staff have embraced this opportunity to support our community … particularly to those most vulnerable at this challenging time,” he said.
Mr Burgess said the swabs were sent to pathology labs and people told they may wait up to three to five days for a result.
“Anyone with a negative result will receive it by text, while a positive result will be by phone from health official staff, who will do further assessment on the clinical state and appropriate treatment pathway and tracing process,” he said.
Higgins federal Liberal MP Katie Allen said the pop-up clinic was “yet another example of Australia’s world-class health system”.
“The pop-up respiratory clinic at Prahran Town Hall, like all clinics nationwide, will make it easier for people to get tested if they are a returned traveller or have come into contact with a positive case, and are showing flu-like symptoms,” she said.
“This clinic will help divert respiratory patients away from emergency departments and other general practices.”
Mr Burgess said the site had the capacity to test “several hundred” people a day, but at the moment people could “get through without waiting”.
People who do not meet the testing criteria, as outlined by the Commonwealth Department of Health, will not be screened.
MORE: BOROONDARA ALSO RANKS HIGHLY FOR VIRUS
LOCAL GOVERNMENT LAWS AT ODDS WITH SOCIAL DISTANCING
The hall can be accessed from Chapel St. People are encouraged to phone to register on 9525 1300, to speed up the process, but people can walk in without an appointment.
It is open seven days a week from 9am to 5pm and will stay open for the foreseeable future.
For information and advice on the coronavirus, visit the Australian Government Health Department website.